Morphology-tunable and pH-responsive supramolecular self-assemblies based on AB₂-type host-guest-conjugated amphiphilic molecules for controlled drug delivery.

ABSTRACT: Although stimuli-responsive supramolecular self-assemblies have been constructed, the controlled drug delivery induced by morphology transitions of these supramolecular self-assemblies on the basis of host-guest-conjugated monomers (HGCMs) are few reported. In this paper, the self-assembly behaviors of AB₂-type HGCMs, e.g., ?-cyclodextrin-benzimidazole₂ (?-CD-BM₂), were investigated at neutral and acidic pH conditions, respectively. Specifically, ?-CD-BM₂ first self-assembled into fan-shaped supramolecular self-assemblies with a hydrodynamic diameter of 163 nm at neutral pH, whereas they were further dissociated into spherical supramolecular self-assemblies with a size of 52 nm under acidic conditions. This morphology transition process was utilized to conduct a two-stage DOX delivery under neutral and acidic pH. Basic cell experiments demonstrated that the drug-loaded ?-CD-BM₂-based supramolecular self-assemblies with varied morphology could inhibit cancer cell proliferation, indicating their potential application in the field of drug delivery.

SUBMITTER: Bai Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6720476 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature